Live Free or Die Complete Series Boxed Set: Age Of Madness - A Kurtherian Gambit Series Hayley Lawson (ebook reader play store .TXT) 📖

He didn’t need the advisors to tell him that the cameras weren’t working since the monitors were still black. Advisor George and General Murray were now on Afana’s list for snack time. They’d made him wait far too long to get the cameras fixed, and Afana knew that these two men didn’t have the disease. He’d tested them before they left.

Afana started toward the glass floors to see if there was any evidence of an outbreak. He felt blind and almost naked without his cameras. He’d spent most of his life staring at them, and when he needed them most, they weren’t working.

When Afana peered through the glass people were moving throughout the levels, crossing through the middle sections to the bathrooms and back to the sleeping areas. They’d been told to stay in their sleeping areas! None of his cattle listened.

He thought about making an announcement that if anyone was out of their sleeping area they’d be killed, but he stopped himself because he needed to see them. If they were in their sleeping areas he wouldn’t be able to, since the cameras weren’t working.

He’d make sure they paid for it once this outbreak was contained.

Afana was going to put some new rules in place. Everyone would have a number tattooed under the cross on their neck. He toyed with the idea of putting it on their forehead as well so that it could be seen straight away. Maybe those who broke the rules would have it tattooed on their foreheads. Afana nodded at that idea.

Then he’d fill Level Six with more women. There was far too much space for them down there, and there needed to be more kids. Women who were past childbearing age would be killed, and their bodies used in the labs. The older men needed to go as well. He was going to get his herd in order.

Afana could see movement on Level Six. The women were running down one of the maintenance tunnels like a wild pack with poles in their hands. Afana wondered if the disease had made it to Level Six. If it had, the women were taking care of it. He wouldn’t dirty his hands with them. They could sort out their own problems.

He needed blood now.

“Are you Vicky?” Ryder asked.

“Why? Who wants to know?” Vicky replied harshly. Her brown hair was pulled back tightly in a ponytail, making her cheekbones look high and well-defined. Her brown eyes complimented her tanned skin.

“Me. I’m Ryder.”

“And?”

“And Willard told us you might be willing to help us.”

Vicky quickly spun around. “Willard? Where is that little prick?”

“Willard?”

“Duh. Yeah, of course.” She shrugged. “Did he send you here to hunt on my land? I told that chickenshit before not to step on my land.”

“He told us it’s your land, and that’s why he’s not on it.”

Vicky grinned. “About time he learned his lesson. I strung him up in one of these last times he trespassed. Slimy little monkey was able to cut himself free a lot quicker than you.” She smirked at Carter as he pulled leaves out of his hair. It had started to resemble a bush.

“His legs are shorter than mine, which would have made it easier for him to cut,” Carter argued. He puffed out his chest, not willing to be slower than anyone.

“You’ve still not said why you’re here,” Vicky repeated.

“We’re hoping you can help. Innocent women and kids are being held in a bunker, and we’re going to free them. Are you up for helping?”

“Why would I help you?”

“Because freeing them is the right thing to do.”

Vicky raised her eyebrow. “Where is Miss Goody Two Shoes from?” she asked Carter. He just raised his eyebrows and put his hands up to indicate she was on her own.

Ryder stepped closer to Vicky and turned her head so Vicky could see Afana’s brand on her neck. “I was one of those women being held in the bunker. Willard thought you could help, but clearly you’re not a good fit for the gang.” She turned away from Vicky.

Vicky gripped Ryder’s arm.

Carter laughed. “Oh, you’re screwed now. Ryder doesn’t like to be touched.”

He was right. Ryder flipped Vicky’s wrist off her and twisted it sideward, and Vicky yelled out in pain. “You’re not worth it,” Ryder told her, pushing her hand away. She headed back toward Willard.

Vicky had an attitude like Vera’s. Did it have something to do with their names starting with a “V?”

“Ryder, wait up,” Leandro called to her. She didn’t wait, but Leandro ran after her. He went for her arm but stopped since he didn’t want his wrist snapped back liked he’d just seen her do to Vicky.

“That woman was like the generals in the bunker. It was easier to turn their backs than actually do something.”

“Ryder, you need to explain more. She doesn’t know what it’s like to live there. I’d guess that Vicky has never even left her home. She’s only been into Pinewood a handful of times. Vicky takes a bit of time to warm up, but I believe she has a good heart inside that locked safe she keeps it in.” Leandro smiled, trying to lighten the moment. “Come on, give her a chance.”

Ryder knew Leandro was right. She raised her finger. “One chance, since you asked so nicely. You really are a charmer, Leandro.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

When Ryder and Leandro got back to the spot where they had left the others, there was no one there. They looked into the tree, and there was the rope from which Carter had hung.

“Where the hell are they?” They looked at one another, concerned.

Leandro and Ryder yelled. “Carter? Clint? Koda? Dustin?”

“Over here,” Carter yelled back, so they ran in the direction of Carter’s voice. He didn’t sound like he was in trouble. He sounded like he was laughing.

They could see why when they got to him. Mad were hanging upside down in traps like Carter had been just a few moments